This bulletin summarises the proceedings of the Executive Committee meeting on 20 June 2003.

LONDON TO SOUTH MIDLANDS MULTI-MODAL STUDY

Normally responses to multi-modal studies are agreed by the whole Assembly. However, the response deadline for the London to South Midlands MMS obliged the Executive Committee to determine the Assembly's views on its behalf on 20 June. All members were invited to contribute to the debate before the Committee made its decision.

The Committee expressed its concern about the lack of a convincing long-term vision for the study area in the consultants' report. Particular concerns centred on the inadequate terms of reference for the study which meant that it did not sufficiently consider the relationship between local and longer-distance travel and the role that buses and local mobility management measures can play in delivering a more effective transport network.

Other recommendations agreed on the Assembly's behalf include:

• The proposals to widen the M1 between junctions 6A and 10 should be implemented as quickly as possible.
• The Secretary of State should commission further work on widening of the M1 north of junction 10 prior to making any decisions on this.
• Strong support for the development of quality East-West rail links in the study area. The Secretary of State should instruct the SRA to work with the Regional Assembly in order to secure delivery of this vital rail link.
• The Secretary of State should give a clear commitment to the potential role of buses and coaches in the study area. Additional revenue investment should be made available to local transport authorities in order to support the development of bus and coach services.

The Assembly will now send its formal advice to the Secretary of State. His response is expected before the summer recess.

SCRUTINISING SEEDA

The Executive Committee received a report from the Chief Executive mapping the scrutiny framework for SEEDA at the parliamentary, governmental and regional levels. Scrutiny of the RDA is a core activity of the Assembly, although the bulk of Assembly resources are devoted to the regional planning role.

The report proposed a 'gearing up' of scrutiny arrangements, both at a member and officer level. At member level, the Executive Committee agreed that a scrutiny liaison group comprising the Chair and Vice-Chairs should be established, with named substitutes to ensure continuity. This will meet routinely - probably quarterly - with nominated members of the SEEDA board to:

• Steer consultation and scrutiny arrangements, including those relating to the RES, SEEDA corporate and business plan, the ongoing programme of select committees and other scrutiny procedures.
• Examine the RES, corporate and business plan in such detail as is necessary on behalf of the Executive Committee.
• Consider select committee recommendations and their follow through.
• Review SEEDA's quarterly performance reports against their business plan, which in turns links back to the implementation of the RES.
• Troubleshoot such issues of concern as emerge in relation to the RDA's accountability to the Assembly.

At an officer level, the scrutiny work will also 'gear up' when the new Head of Policy, Philip Craig, joins the Assembly at the beginning of July. He will be responsible for leading of non-spatial policy work, including managing the Assembly's scrutiny work with SEEDA as well as the Assembly's work on health and social inclusion. His work will be strongly supported through a 'matrix management' system by planning policy staff on a project team basis.

ASHFORD GROWTH PROPOSALS

Following a full debate concerning the relative pace of investment in jobs, infrastructure and housing at Ashford, the Executive Committee approved the proposals for growth to 2016 for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for final consultation and Public Examination.

The formal proposals for growth follow on from the detailed studies carried out by consultants in 2001-02 and reported to the Committee in Autumn 2002. They recommended that there should be a medium level of growth in Ashford in the period to 2016 and this will represent a significant acceleration of rates of housing development and job creation compared with the recent past. However, it is important that this growth is coupled with the appropriate infrastructure improvement, not only in transport but also water supply, green spaces, and educational, health and community facilities.

The proposals will now be published by GOSE in mid-July and will be subject to a formal period of public consultation. A Public Examination is scheduled for November 2003.

MILTON KEYNES AND SOUTH MIDLANDS GROWTH PROPOSALS

Similarly, the Executive Committee also approved growth proposals for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area for submission to Government.

The proposals are based on the earlier Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study as well as six subsequent studies focussing on urban growth points in the study area, two of these being in the South East - Milton Keynes and Aylesbury. The proposals for Milton Keynes and Aylesbury recommend that high levels of growth will be possible in both areas, given their strong market position and economic potential. However, like Ashford, there is a need for investment in key infrastructure such as transport, water resources, health and educational facilities.

The proposals will launched on 18 July in Luton and will be subject to a formal period of public consultation. A single Public Examination for the whole growth area is scheduled for February 2004.

IN BRIEF…

Rural Visioning Conference
The Assembly, in conjunction with DEFRA, is holding a Rural Visioning Conference and the Sustainable Farming and Food Launch on 14 July at the Hop Farm Country Park in Kent. The conference will have two elements: the morning will focus on an integrated vision for the rural South East and the key issues that need to be debated and resolved in formulating a new Regional Spatial Strategy. In the afternoon, Lord Whitty will be launching the new delivery plan for DEFRA's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food.

Public Service Agreement (PSA) Target
Arising from the last Comprehensive Spending Review, the ODPM, DTI and Treasury have a common PSA target to "Make sustainable improvements in the economic performance of all English regions and in the long-term reduce the persistent gap in growth rates between the regions."

The Assembly has particular concerns about the second part of this target as it presumes differential growth rates across England, and other regions are already seeking a substantial shift of investment and resources away from London and the South East.

In order to address this, the Assembly has commissioned research with SEEDA and GOSE on how this PSA target can be developed and implemented for the benefit of all regions. The Assembly will also continue, with SEEDA, to press Ministers on the regional, and national, importance on sustained investment in the region.

EU Regional Policy
The Executive Committee agreed a response to the Government's consultation on the future of EU Structural Funds following enlargement. A paper referred from the Joint Europe Committee supported much of the Government's aspirations, but expressed reservations about the plans to 'renationalise' regional development funding. The Committee agreed that the Government's proposals would put at risk the policy connection to building EU cohesion and the single market, and that the long-term approach offered by EU funding would be lost.

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Last updated: 21 August 2007